What to Know About the New COVID Variant

**Emerging COVID-19 Variant ‘Cicada’ Raises Concerns as Global Cases Rise**

A new COVID-19 variant designated B.A. 3.2 has emerged, causing increased alarm among health officials worldwide. Termed “Cicada,” after the well-known insect that remains hidden underground, this variant is believed to have been circulating unnoticed before beginning its spread more openly. Detected first in South Africa in November 2024, Cicada has expanded its reach, with scientists confirming cases in 23 different countries, including the United States.

The variant was identified during routine testing of a nasal swab taken from a five-year-old boy on 22 November 2024. Although initial reports were scarce, a rise in cases began to be noted by September 2025, as the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that the variant was gradually becoming more prevalent. Currently, it has been identified in several travellers returning to the U.S., in addition to traces found in wastewater samples across 25 states.

Cicada is characterised by a significant number of mutations compared to the previously dominant variant, JN.1. These considerable changes raise concerns about the potential effectiveness of existing vaccines against the new strain. Dr. T. Ryan Gregory, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Guelph, underscored the variant’s elusive nature, stating that it replicated without drawing significant attention until its more noticeable spread.

Experts, including Dr. Andrew Pekosz from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, have echoed similar sentiments. He noted that although Cicada lurked beneath the surface for some time, its recent proliferation has heightened awareness among healthcare professionals and the public alike. Symptoms reported by those infected with Cicada resemble those of other COVID-19 variants, including sore throat, cough, fever, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.

Despite the alarming mutation rate of Cicada, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that this variant is more severe than others currently circulating. Nevertheless, he expressed concerns over the existing low vaccination rates and inadequate public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, leaving populations vulnerable to outbreaks.

In recent months, public health policy changes have further complicated the fight against COVID-19. In May 2025, the CDC modified its recommendations under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., opting to reduce the emphasis on COVID-19 vaccinations for children and pregnant women. This shift has raised eyebrows among some healthcare professionals who argue for the importance of continued vaccination efforts.

However, there are more positive updates regarding the new variant. Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre from the Mount Sinai Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute indicated to reporters that while the effectiveness of current vaccines against Cicada may be diminished, the antiviral medications developed for COVID-19 continue to work effectively against this variant.

The emergence of Cicada serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic. As countries remain vigilant, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with some experts warning that this new variant could potentially lead to a summer surge in COVID-19 cases across the United States.

As Cicada continues to spread, the global health community is urged to prepare for the potential impact of this new variant. Maintaining public health measures, encouraging vaccination, and investing in ongoing research remain imperative as societies attempt to navigate the evolving landscape of the pandemic.